I have a 2004 MCS with the H/K and Nav. (So replacing it is a larger pain than usual...) One of my rear speakers is just about toast.

I've picked up a set of 6x9 3-way Infinity Kappas as replacements and the matching round set for the front doors.

The doors I'm not worried about. Cut an adapter and go for it. It's the backs... The original HK speakers had dual voice-coils. My new speakers, obviously, do not.

After reading the step-by from GBMini about his HK upgrade (on the System Configuration page) it looks like he is simply tying the two rear speaker outputs together. (http://gbmini.net/downloads/PGEN/)

I assume he's doing it in parallel. Both hots go to the speaker +, both grounds to speaker -.

Will this work? Safely without eating my H/K amp? If not, what are my options?

-Scott

 

BTW, that's not my H/K mod; I just host it
See the original pages here:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/g/pgen/

Personally, I wouldn't tie the outputs together - although as you say, Paul just joined them together. Maybe it will work fine for you too, or maybe it works because Paul's only driving a line converter, not actual speakers.

But I wonder this - if you can just link the two pairs together and drive a coil, why did H/K run two separate feeds to two separate coils?


Remember the fronts have low and high separated at the H/K amp; getting that compatible with your Kappas will be tricky. And the Kappas are probably 4 ohm, while the H/K originals are 2 ohm - that will significantly reduce the volume available.

I've said this before ... the H/K amp & speakers should be considered a "system" and should be modified, if at all, as a system. Pauls trick of amping each speaker output apparently works to give more volume - but I've never heard it and wonder if some of the clarity was lost ...


BTW:
Your best option is to look for removed H/K speakers in the marketplace - or just get a brand new one from MINI. You're not still in the 4 year, 50K warranty?

 

"why did H/K run two separate feeds to two separate coils?" the question of the hour indeed.

The impedence isn't an issue because the Kappas are rated at 2 ohms, just like the original H/Ks. (It's one of the reasons I chose them.)

It sounds to me like I may want to connect the 6x9 Kappas in the original locations to just one set of the outputs.

What could I do with an extra set of amplified outputs though? Hmmm... maybe mount another set of Kappa 6.5s in the deck lid with quick disconnects?!? Excellent...

-Scott

 

Okay. I've done some measuring and figgrin' and here's the plan:I'll run one of each rear set off of each of the channels going to the old dual-coil HK speakers. All of them are 2 ohm so there should be no issues there. (And no shorting channels together...)

I have a set of 5" kappas in the garage that may fit in the deck, but I'll just have to see. I KNOW the 4" ones will go though. (And they probably sound better than the crappy paper cones in the stocks...)

This will all be with the stock H/K setup with (for now) no additional amplification. Of course, while I have the seats and floor out, I'll slap down a bunch of Dynamat to cut the road rumble...

What do you all think?

-Scott

 

I recommend a trial before you go in too deep - remove the H/K mid/tweeter combo and replace with your Kappa tweeter. See how much sound you lose.

I like the idea of driving two rear speakers